The Gold Standards Framework CIO

13/04/2026

Human beings are communicators by nature. It’s how we learn, connect, comfort, and influence.

Yet in end of life care, the conversations that matter most are often the hardest to navigate.

Our latest blog explores how self-awareness, active listening, and compassionate communication can help professionals build trust and support what matters most to people and families.

Every conversation matters.

🔗 Read the blog: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/communication-in-end-of-life-care/

Learn how self-awareness, active listening and empathy improve communication in end of life care, helping professionals support people better.

09/04/2026

We’re excited to be speaking and exhibiting at the Primary Care Show in May in Birmingham.

Don’t miss our session: 'One Chance to Get it Right'

We’ll be sharing:
✅️ Key challenges in end of life care
✅️ Why earlier identification and proactive care matters
✅️ How person-centred approaches reduce crises and avoidable admissions
✅️ How our updated GSF Primary Care Programme can support your team

If you’re attending, come and chat with us at the stand, we’d love to connect.

07/04/2026

We’re delighted to be attending the CHA National Conference 2026 on 7–8 May in Swindon.

At GSF, we’re passionate about supporting teams to deliver high-quality, proactive, person-centred care for all, and we’re looking forward to connecting with NHS leaders, clinical teams and community partners from across the UK at this important event.

If you’re attending, do come and speak with us - we’d love to share how GSF can support your teams to deliver Gold Standard end of life care.

Book your place: https://tinyurl.com/2jut7pn5

02/04/2026

Are you identifying people early enough in their final year of life?

One of the biggest challenges in end of life care is knowing when to start planning.

That’s where the GSF PIG (Proactive Identification Guidance) can help.

This simple, practical tool supports professionals to:
✔ Recognise when a person may be in their final year of life
✔ Trigger earlier conversations and planning
✔ Reduce crisis-driven care and unnecessary admissions

Early identification is the first step to delivering care that truly reflects what matters most to each person.

The good news? This resource is free to access and easy to use in everyday practice.

🔗 Explore the GSF PIG and other free tools here:
https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/free-resources-professionals/

30/03/2026

Five things that can help transform end of life care in health and social care settings:

1️⃣ Early identification
2️⃣ Proactive care planning
3️⃣ Clear, honest conversations
4️⃣ Coordinated, confident teams
5️⃣ Ongoing support for people and their families

These aren’t extras - they are the foundations of high-quality end of life care.

Evidence shows that structured approaches like GSF help improve coordination and staff confidence, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, and support people to die where they choose.

Which of these does your organisation do well, and what could be stronger?

If you're looking to strengthen your end of life care, get in touch to find out how GSF can support your team: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/

27/03/2026

How GSF is Transforming Patient Care in Dudley

Take a look at this powerful example of the impact of GSF at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust: https://youtu.be/tjydzchMK48?si=3c2zMWs6wDIT5jD9

The GSF Hospitals Programme is a proven, evidence-based approach that supports teams to identify patients earlier, plan proactively, and deliver truly person-centred end of life care.

Hospitals using GSF are seeing real impact:
• Earlier identification of patients in their final year of life
• Better personalised care planning aligned with patient wishes
• Improved patient and family experience
• Reduced unnecessary admissions and length of stay
• Increased staff confidence and a more compassionate culture

This video shows what that looks like in practice, and the difference it makes for patients, families, and clinical teams.

If you’re ready to embed proactive, compassionate, and coordinated care across your hospital, now is the time to explore GSF training and accreditation: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/hospitals/

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust talk about how implementing GSF has impacted patients, families and staff at the hospital.

26/03/2026

We’re excited to be exhibiting over the next two days at the Palliative Care Congress in Brighton!

This fantastic event brings together professionals from across health and social care to share ideas, innovation, and best practice in palliative and end of life care.

Come and meet Julie Armstrong-Wilson, COO of GSF, and Ginny Allen, our Lead Nurse for Health and Social Care. They’ll be there to chat, answer your questions, and share how we’re supporting teams to deliver high-quality, proactive end of life care.

Whether you’re already part of the GSF community or just want to find out more, we’d love you to come and say hello!

24/03/2026

Transforming End of Life Care on busy hospital wards

Even on the busiest wards, compassionate, coordinated care can make a profound difference.

The Syringa Ward team recognised when patients were entering their final days and shifted the focus from unnecessary interventions to comfort, dignity, and what mattered most.

One moment sums it up:

“Reuniting them in that side room wasn’t simply a logistical decision; it was a gesture of love and humanity.”

Families felt supported and involved:

“You made their last days together better… They were able to be with each other when it mattered most.”

GSF makes this possible:
✅ Gives leaders confidence in governance and quality
✅ Gives ward teams clarity and tools to deliver deeply human care

When culture meets structure, extraordinary care becomes everyday practice.

Read the full case study to see how your ward can achieve the same:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/yrdubb9w

17/03/2026

Caring for someone living with dementia at the end of life can be complex, but it’s also one of the most important aspects of care 💛

Our latest blog explores how teams can provide compassionate, person-centred support that focuses on comfort, dignity, and individual wishes.

Learn more and discover how the Gold Standards Framework training can help your team deliver outstanding care: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/dementia-end-of-life-care/

Compassionate end of life care for dementia: support dignity, improve communication, and plan proactively with Gold Standards Framework training.

12/03/2026

We’ve had a fantastic day exhibiting at the Devon Care Homes Collaborative Annual Conference today!

It was wonderful to meet so many dedicated care home professionals from across Devon, share ideas, and talk about the important work happening to improve care for residents.

At the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) stand we had some great conversations about how care homes can strengthen proactive, person-centred end-of-life care, and it was inspiring to hear about the commitment and passion across the sector.

Thank you to everyone who came to say hello – we really enjoyed meeting you and hearing about the amazing work taking place in your services.

We’re looking forward to continuing the conversations and supporting more care homes on their GSF journey.

If your care home is interested in learning more, visit: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/care-homes/

10/03/2026

We’re excited to be here today at the Managers Conference 2026 hosted by National Care Forum and Skills for Care.

It’s fantastic to connect with leaders and managers from across adult social care, sharing ideas, learning from expert speakers and exploring practical solutions that support high-quality care.

If you’re attending, do come and say hello – we’d love to talk about how the Gold Standards Framework supports teams to deliver outstanding end of life care.

09/03/2026

📅 Come and meet us in 2026!

The Gold Standards Framework team will be attending a range of health and social care events this year – exhibiting, sponsoring and sharing insights on improving end of life care.

Take a look at our events calendar and see where you can connect with us 👇

Sharing details of our 2026 events calendar. We're excited to be exhibiting and networking with colleagues across the health and social care sector.